After her father's death Maruska is exposed to the whims of her evil stepmother and her stepsister Kveta. They treat her as Cinderella. Shortly before Christmas, Karel, who made his fortune in the wide world, returns to his homeland as a rich man. The village girls immediately surround him since they see their chance to marry well. In his distress, Karel announces that he only marries the one who surprises him with fragrant violets, juicy strawberries and a tree with red apples - in the middle of winter. Maruska is forced by her stepmother to find these rarities for Kveta. So the poor girl sets out into the snowy forest, where she meets twelve old men with supernatural powers: the month's rulers.